On 13th November we hosted an event with Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) (energisesussexcoast.co.uk) called “How to reduce your energy use to save money & the planet”. Those who came heard from two of the ESC staff on
- bills, tariffs and support with bills;
- some easy energy saving tips and tricks (including some simple things such as using economy settings on appliances, turning boiler flow temperature on combi boilers down to 60°C, installing draught proofing and radiator reflectors, and closing your curtains);
- low carbon technologies (such as solar panels and heat pumps);
- available grants; and
- potential scams.
There was time for questions and I think we all went away having learnt something new.
Some websites that could be useful for you or for people you know, particularly if they are vulnerable or struggling with energy costs:
- Priority Services Register – a free service to those who qualify, providing extra advice and support when there is an interruption to your electricity, gas or water service, thepsr.co.uk
- The Warm Home Discount – given automatically to people who receive means tested benefits AND live in a hard to heat house: gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount
- Winter Fuel Payment – £200 or £300 to help qualifying pensioners with winter heating costs, gov.uk/winter-fuelpayment/eligibility
- Energy company hardship funds – grants to help pay off energy debts: moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-restruggling-with-your-energy-bills-/#hardship
- The “Energy Company Obligation” scheme – ECO 4: gov.uk/energy-company-obligation
- The Great British Insulation Scheme: gov.uk/apply-great-britishinsulation-scheme
Sadly, energy related scams are common. The golden rule is if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
- STOP and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
- CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.
- takefive-stopfraud.org.uk
How to spot an energy scam:
Cold calling, saying they are from Ofgem but are selling something, asking for bank account details, claiming that part of your home is unsafe. They may offer free or heavily discounted energy saving, or financial rebates from the government.
How to avoid being scammed
Get 3 quotes, research and ask questions, don’t be pressured by time limited offers, ask for recommendations. Get advice from Energise Sussex Coast!
If you need advice about anything to do with your bills, or energy saving, feel free to contact the Energise Sussex Coast Energy Advice Service on 01424 390062 or email hello@energisesussexcoast.co.uk
The talk emphasised saving money, particularly through reducing energy consumption. This not only helps our finances but also benefits the planet by reducing our CO2 emissions. We also had some discussion about climate change. With COP29 taking place at the same time as our event and the recent results of the U.S. elections, it’s easy to feel anxious and discouraged about the future of our world. One of the presenters asked a good question beforehand: “What difference does having faith make to you as we watch the climate crisis unfold?” I wonder how you would answer that question?